Is part of their job to make sure the government is functioning? They aren't doing that. Congress' job rating is at 15%.

I have often mused that a simple ballot change will fix a lot of this. Have a box for "none of the above". If "none of the above" wins, all candidates on that ballot for that office are disqualified, and there has to be a new election with different candidates.

As it is, the job rating doesn't matter because on election day, you have very little choice. You vote for the bums with the low ratings, or you don't show up to vote at all (which is arguably worse).

Democrats are upset that Republicans won't extend a benefit the Democrats introduced.

I don't think that's quite right. They're upset that the Reps won't even discuss it. Neither side is talking to the other right now. They just point fingers at each other. I just read that Thune(?) exploded saying words to the effect of "we had 13 votes, and your team voted 'no' every time". What's the definition of insanity again? Doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result? If you aren't even talking to them, trying to reach some compromise, then you're just bullying or insane (or both). Government used to be about compromise. Give a little to get a little. No more, apparently.